Name
Albert William Paull
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
48415
Royal Defence Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Albert Paull was born at Camberwell on 9th January 1878. He married Edith Martell on 24th September 1904, and at that time the couple lived at Tanners Hill, Abbots Langley. By the time of the 1911 Census the family, which by then included five children, lived at “Allins” Adrian Road, Abbots Langley. Albert was employed as a Male Attendant (Night) at the Leavesden Asylum. Also living with the family as a Boarder was Eliza Spaughton, a Female Night Attendant at the Asylum.
Albert’s Pension Record noted that when he enlisted at Whitehall, London on 3rd December 1915, he was still employed as an Asylum Attendant, and was living with his family at 86 Marlin Square, Abbots Langley. Albert undertook a medical on the same day, where slight varicose veins were recorded, and he was appointed to the 17th Reserve Battalion of the Rifle Brigade.
The Leavesden Parish Magazine noted that Albert had joined His Majesty’s Forces in the February 1916 edition. It was also noted that he was employed as an Attendant and Male Nurse at the Asylum. Albert remained with the Training Battalion throughout the summer of 1916, but was examined by a Traveling Medical Board on 11th October 1916, and was classified as Class C1 – well below the standard for active service. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Scots on 19th January 1917, and was re-examined by the Travelling Medical Board on 11th February at which point he was classified Class C1. Albert was still well below standard and on 25th August 1917 whilst now serving with the Royal Defence Corps with the rank of Lance Corporal, he was examined for the third time.
The examination was undertaken by Captain Pearce of the Royal Army Medical Corps and he concluded that Albert was suffering from varicose veins, and a formal Medical Report was written. The report noted that
“the patient stated that he first noticed that he had enlarged veins about the age of 16. He has been an Asylum Attendant for the last 18 years but had never had much trouble standing. He stated that he had two operations for varicose veins about 20 and 16 years ago. He stated that he has never walked more than one mile. In consequence of this condition he has been doing no duties for the last six weeks. The disability is not attributable to War Service and has not been aggravated by War Service. The recommendation is that he be discharged as permanently unfit”.
The report was reviewed by a Medical Board on 6th September 1917, and the recommendation was upheld. Albert was discharged to 163 Askew Road, Shepherds Bush on 27th September 1917.
A year later on 11th September 1918 Albert’s case came before a Pensions Appeal Tribunal and it was agreed that the disability had been aggravated by Military Service and his pension was adjusted accordingly.
Albert Paull survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 17th Reserve Battalion Rifle Brigade; Royal Scots. Discharged – became non-effective.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
